When asked about his motives in disassembling a Leica to produce Japanese made high-grade 35mm cameras, Yoshida explained in later years:"I just disassembled the camera without any specific plan, but simply to take a look at each part. I found there were no special items like diamonds inside the camera. The parts were made from brass, aluminum, iron and rubber. I was surprised that when these inexpensive materials were put together into a camera, it demanded an exorbitant price. This made me angry".

The current CEO of Canon should also get very angry, but this time the wrath should not be directed at Leica but at themselves.

I just calculated the price of buying a 5D III from B&H, shipping it to New Zealand and then paying duty/taxes on it. It comes in at NZ$800 (US$650) cheaper than buying locally, also putting it NZ$300 cheaper than a Nikon D800 in NZ. Nice.

I already have the 5D III, so it was just an exercise in currency and shipping, and I have no regrets in buying my camera when I did. My daughter was born 3 weeks ago, not today...

When asked about his motives in disassembling a Leica to produce Japanese made high-grade 35mm cameras, Yoshida explained in later years:"I just disassembled the camera without any specific plan, but simply to take a look at each part. I found there were no special items like diamonds inside the camera. The parts were made from brass, aluminum, iron and rubber. I was surprised that when these inexpensive materials were put together into a camera, it demanded an exorbitant price. This made me angry".

The current CEO of Canon should also get very angry, but this time the wrath should not be directed at Leica but at themselves.

I'm glad the price is dropping, but it sucks for me and sucks for Canon. I bought a 5D2 for 160,000 yen (let's just call it $1800) a couple months ago.

It's a great camera I'm sure, but it hasn't blown me away. Admittedly, I haven't fully adjusted to full-frame yet and really broken this camera in. While I got a good deal on the camera, had the 5D3 been priced then what it is now, Canon would've made almost twice as much money off me. Too late now. Their loss. My loss.

I don't really care who wants to defend it- $3500 was a ridiculous asking price.

So, buying cameras as an investment... how is that working out for all of those that bought the 5D3 already?

Well that depends.

I bought a 5D3 (but paid in Europe 2700 instead of the usual 3000-3500). It wasn't exactly an investment. I bought it to have a second body (OK my 5D2 became my second body...). Prices in Europe do not drop so fast so waiting a lot does not have so many advantages.

Now, If someone is a pro who has used 5D3 a lot these months then it was worth the money.

So, buying cameras as an investment... how is that working out for all of those that bought the 5D3 already?

-1......NEVER. Buy it as a tool, not investment.

You obviously don't read a lot of posts on here... people regularly buy cameras and lenses as an investment.

So much dumb finger wagging going on in this thread. Lenses do hold their value shockingly well, as long as you don't drop em, but anyone who looks at a camera body as an investment doesn't understand the used market. The body is close to disposable it'll depreciate so fast. And frankly anyone who bought at release and is angry now... that's the price you pay. I bought at release fully knowing it'd drop within the first year. I'm betting we all did. heh (if not... uh, welcome to earth)

It is a tool. My tool paid for itself LONG ago, and I wouldn't change a thing. I'm pretty happy they've come down because I've been itching to pick up another 5D3. I can hardly stand my 5D2's AF system anymore.